rake over
B2 neutral inseparable transitive
In simple words
To look very carefully at something that already happened, especially something bad or embarrassing.
Literal meaning: Dragging a rake back and forth over a surface to examine or disturb what lies there.
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
neutral
To examine past events or failures in thorough and often uncomfortable detail.
"There's no point raking over the ashes of a project that failed three years ago."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 neutral
To rake a surface repeatedly or thoroughly, covering the whole area.
"He raked over the flower bed to break up the soil before planting."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Often used in the phrase 'rake over old coals' or 'rake over the ashes,' meaning to revisit past failures or controversies. Slightly negative connotation — implies the examination may be unnecessary or painful.
Commonly used with
ashes past coals memories details evidence
Forms
Base
rake over
I/you/we/they
3rd person
rakes over
he/she/it
Past simple
raked over
yesterday
Past participle
raked over
have + pp
-ing form
raking over
continuous
Understand "rake over" better
Try:
Real video examples
Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.
Want to master this phrasal verb?
Practice "rake over" on Looplines